Analysis Of Judith And Maidservant With The Head Of The Holofernes

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For the Formal Analysis Essay, the following artist and work of art to discuss is: Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian 1593-1653), Judith and Maidservant with the Head of the Holofernes, c. 1625, oil on canvas, approx. height: 72 1/2 x 55 3/4 inches. Detroit Institute of Arts. The following will mention the subject of the artwork, elements of design including: line, shape, and color. In addition, the principles of design will be discussed in termed of movement, emphasis, and balance.
The subject of Gentileschi's Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes uses tenebrism that makes use for the large areas of dark contrasting with the smaller bright areas of the painting. This painting is very dramatic considering multiple areas of darkness, such as the deep shadows. Judith could be holding out her hand to cover the light from her face to take a glimpse to see if anyone’s approaching them. She seems to be vigilant and she could also be stopping someone from …show more content…

Her use of line is controlled and precise, deduced from the spatial reality and dimensions of the folds of their clothing. Gentileschi must’ve been delicate with her brush strokes to make the painting so detailed to the point of perfection. Her use of shape brings out the curves in both of the women’s physique, not to mention the way their clothing is wrapped around to their elbows, allowing the viewers to grasp the width of their lengthy arms. The viewers can differentiate that Gentileschi uses two-dimensional shape, however can also be seen as three-dimensional since Judith’s arm seems as if it is reaching out towards the viewer. The artist also associates with dark colors that are intense to define their actions. Including the red which could convey to the viewer as blood and the yellow light to invoke the viewers silence. Red could also represent evil, in this case it represents a sinful

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